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Stranger in a Strange Land

By: Robert A. Heinlein
Narrated by: Christopher Hurt
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Publisher's summary

Stranger in a Strange Land is the epic saga of an earthling, Valentine Michael Smith, born and educated on Mars, who arrives on our planet with “psi” powers—telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, telekinesis, teleportation, pyrolysis, and the ability to take control of the minds of others—and complete innocence regarding the mores of man.

After his tutelage under a surrogate father figure, Valentine begins his transformation into a kind of messiah. His exceptional abilities lead him to become many things to many people: freak, scam artist, media commodity, searcher, free love pioneer, neon evangelist, and martyr.

Heinlein won his second Hugo Award for this novel, sometimes called his “divine comedy” and often called his masterpiece. This Blackstone audiobook is the “as published” version, read from an Ace paperback published in 1987. The full, uncut text was not made available until 1991.

©1961 by Robert A. Heinlein (P)1996 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

  • Hugo Award, 1962

Featured Article: The Most Stellar Sci-Fi Authors of All Time


Science fiction is a genre as diverse as you can imagine. There are stories that take place in deep space, often depicting teams exploring or running away from something; stories that focus on life at the most cellular level, such as a pandemic tale; and stories that take place in times that feel similar to our own. Depicting themes of existentialism, philosophy, hubris, and personal and historical trauma, sci-fi has a cadre of topics and moods.

What listeners say about Stranger in a Strange Land

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Future Possibilities

I simply adore Heinlein!! He gives us an eloquent picture of one of our possible futures. This story is well written and well read aloud. As a blind person who lost her sight due to a progressive illness I was able to enjoy this book as much, if not more, than I did before I lost my sight. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience of this story. Again, this story was well written and well read (told). The person performing this story almost made me feel as if we were participating in this future. Thank goodness for Audible!! Without you I would have continued without the ability to enjoy my #1 hobby, reading. Now that I discovered this service I have returned to enjoying my secret.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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I love Heinlein

blasphemy! honestly such a great story. I love the idea of an alien philosophy; this presented a great story and compelling thoughts.

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Still fresh after 60 years!

The story is unique and the performance was great. I didn’t “grock” the whole concept bit I loved what I could find.

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    3 out of 5 stars

An interesting, but problematic, novel

Christopher Hurt's performance is superb. The ideas in the novel are intriguing and much of the story is gripping (although the pacing in the middle is slow), but the story is marred by racist, sexist, and homophobic elements.

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PLEASE GET THIS BOOK. I AM BEGGING YOU.

I've listened to this at least 3 times through and each time I enjoy it more and more. It may be a work of fiction, but the moral and root of this book are words worthy of living by. For me, this book opened my eyes and my mind so I embrace deviating from social norms, and lead a life based solely on genuine love and understanding for ALL humans.

Please listen to this exceptional title until you grok in fullness. Then pass it on to every single person you possibly can. Waiting is.


"We laugh because it hurts..."
I grok in fullness.

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This story is fantastic.

I have never conceived what humanity would look like from a none humanoid perpective. This book took me out of my own narrative and tossed me into deep thinking bless. Even now I have much Grawking to do.

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thou art God

this is a 15 word review.the performance was outstanding. the story was really swell. end

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The best of the best… anything else is a sham

The grand master at his best.. or maybe just at his normal. I Grok that these are just ideas and we have to catch up.

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A Fascinating Revisit of a Classic

Clearly a child of 1960s, this book reflects the seeds of that era's social upheavals.

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Martian Religion

This is a LONG book. But Mike is an endearing character. His innocence and selflessness is certainly Christlike. I appreciate the beautiful spiritual truths he teaches, and Jubil's grocking fullness. The messianic ending is certainly intentionally related to Christian theology. Which makes it even more interesting.

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